SImpAlums exists to connect, support, and sustain the spirit of the Stanford Improvisers—on campus and beyond—while honoring and extending Patricia Ryan Madson’s legacy.
We gather online quarterly and reunite in person after major events, cultivating community across generations of SImps. Like the original Guardians, we’re committed to:
Building and preserving institutional memory
Supporting regular reunions and intergenerational connections
Creating a small reserve fund to seed future gatherings
Providing small grants to help current SImps bring in outside teachers (e.g. from BATS and other improv institutions)
Ultimately, establishing an endowment—modeled after Rams Head—to support a permanent lecturer or artist-in-residence role, ensuring improv remains a living tradition at Stanford
Everything we do is designed to further the playful, generous, and transformative work that began with Patricia—and carrying it forward, together.
Goal: Create and maintain a centralized, regularly updated directory of SImps past and present.
Enables easy outreach for gatherings, mentorship, and collaboration
Includes contact info, cohort year, interests, and opt-in story page links
Builds upon previous prototypes and lists, including
Jenny Moon’s Simps Alumni List [DIRECTORY PROTOTYPE]
Sebastian Hochman's Google Form: SImps Alumni Network Dance Yay! (SANDY)
Adam Tobin and Bryan Cooperrider listserv
Goal: Invite SImps to document and share their experiences and memories in a collaborative format.
Before the next reunion, launch a shared Google Doc or form
Optional prompts for reflection, photos, stories, or improv “origin tales”
Will serve as both a historical archive and a living community scrapbook
Goal: Maintain regular touchpoints for connection, sharing, and updates.
Rotating facilitators or themes (e.g. “What’s bringing you joy?” or “Favorite improv game lately”)
Opportunity to share updates on reunions, funding, and alumni news
Zoom logistics and facilitation guide in progress: email tokyovince at gmail for more information
The goal is to make reunions easier to plan, more inclusive, and more sustainable by documenting and sharing best practices.
See Reunion Planning Manual concept below 👇
A practical guide for joyful, low-stress, high-impact reunions.
A Living Document – Last Updated [by SImp # on Insert Date]
To support SImps who take on the rewarding task of organizing reunions by offering a structured, flexible playbook that reflects our mission of continuity, celebration, and connection.
This manual helps each new team avoid reinventing the wheel—so you can focus more on creativity, community, and yes… play.
1. Vision and Purpose
Celebrate our shared history and joyful traditions
Connect alumni across generations
Strengthen intergenerational bonds and stewardship of the SImps legacy
2. Planning Timeline
Recommend 12–18 month lead time
Sample milestone checklist
Planning calendar with key deadlines
3. Roles and Responsibilities
Core team: Lead Organizer, Logistics, Programming, Finance, Comms, etc.
Subcommittees: Housing, Transportation, Media, Inclusion
Clear handoff process to next team for succession continuity
4. Logistics
Venue selection (Stanford campus, off-campus options, hybrid models)
Housing: hotels, host homes, Airbnbs
Group meals and potluck planning
Transportation, parking, and accessibility logistics
5. Programming
Sample schedule (arrival night mixer, improv jams, sharing circles, workshops, etc.)
Optional intergenerational activities (story circles, mentorship games)
Showcase or performance (optional and low-pressure)
6. Promotion and Communications
Save-the-date, invitation, RSVP system
Channels: Email, Slack, social media
Branding and tone suggestions
7. Registration
Google Form or event platform (e.g. Eventbrite)
Suggested sliding scale or pay-what-you-can
Gather dietary/accessibility info
8. Budget and Finance
Sample budget template (venue, food, supplies, etc.)
Suggestions for shared costs, donations, or reserve use
Reimbursement process
9. Media and Documentation
Shared photo and video folder
SImp Story booth or audio/video archive
Consent language and opt-out options
10. Legacy and Handoff
Post-event feedback form
Handoff doc for next organizer
Update this manual with lessons learned
Vince created this imcomplete list, having only attended two reunions so far.
Can someone confirm and fill in the missing information? Thank you!
2001: 10th SImps reunion organized by Jenn Chou
2006? 15th reunion?
2011: 20th SImps Reunion organized by
2016: 25th SImps Reunion organized by
2023: 32nd SImps Reunion organized by Jessia Hoffman and Will Setrakian
2026: 35th SImps Reunion organized by TBD
2031: 40th SImps Reunion
2036: 45th SImps Reunion
2041: 50th SImps Reunion
et al
Get involved 🔗 Learn more: vinceprep.com/improv/SImpAlums (this page) or email tokyovince at gmail. Thanks!